Cover for hinges or the like



c. coLucm 2,342,453

COVER FOR HINGES OR THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1940 INVENTOR (/zar/es (duct 1 BY ORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,342,453 CGVERFORHINGES OR :THE LIKE Charles Cdlucci, New York, N.. Y.

Application Marchsl'fi, 1940, Serial No.1 324, 30. 1

13 Claims.

This invention relates to covers for hinges, in particular for pin hinges having cam characteristics, wherein a moving leaf has a rise or fall whileswinging.

The present application is a'continuation-inpart of mycopending application Serial #2083138 filed May 16, 1938, now Patent No. 2,205,396 granted June 25,1940, wherein I have disclosed a form of the present invention as applied to a cam hinge.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a cover for'hinges or thelike that is simple in construction, easy to apply or remove, that permits free action of the hinge knuckles, that is well suited to protect a persons fingers from injury, when the hinge embodies-cam parts and that will improve the appearance of the hinge it covers.

Further objects of the invention are to provide: a hinge cover embodying cover means for the hinge knuckles and resilient attaching means to retain the cover in place on the hinge; a' simple cover for hinges comprising a shaped sheet material member embodying resilient end straps'adapted to secure the cover to suitable projections at the endsof the hinge and permit relative movement of the cover in response to movement of thehing'e leaf; a cover'for hingescomprising a shaped body portion to cover the hinge knuckles and embodying attaching portions having resilient connection to the body portion; a cover for hinges ca-- pable of displacement with the moving leaf not the hinge and adapted to return to its original position together with the moving leaf a cover for hinges comprising a substantially rigid body portion and. resilient 'head portions ateach endcf the body portion; a cover for hinges comprising asubstantially U -shaped body of :fiexible material the sides of Which'are su'fiiciently long to bear against the hinge leaves when said leaves are in closed position; a molded cover member cover portion and a pair of tabs. having .resilient connection to the cover portion and. positioned along one edge of said cover portion.

These-and other objects of the inventionrelat ing to the improved cover'zmemberyandrall its:

parts and combinationswill in part be obvious and in part be pointed out linr the subsequent .de--

tailed description andin the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, and in the claims. The drawing illustratesa preferred embodiment and is not to be considered as limiting the invention to the embodiments shown anddescribed.

All modifications including features :of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts, as may be within the spirit o'fithe invention are contemplated.

In the drawing wherein similarparts are designated by similar'numerals:

Fig. 1 is axside'elevational view of acarn. hinge in closed position showing the cover member of my invention, embodying resilient end members hooked .over hinge pintle projections.

Fig. 2 is .anedgeelevation ofv the hinge and cover of Fig; '1.

Fig. Sis an end elevation ofithe hinge'andzcover of Fig. 1. i

Fig; 4 is a side elevation. .partially in section showing a modified form of cover embodying the principles of the invention and secured to a :hinge.

Fig 5 is amend elevation of the hingeand cover of Fig. 4.

Fig; 6 .is an elevationsilwiew ofnafurther modification of the invention applied to ialcam hinge and shown inIBOidegree 'open position;' and Fig. 1'7 is a cross-rsectional-view'taken. at L4! ofFig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is across-sectional viewztaken at 1-1 of Fig. 6 showingthe leaves in closed position and mounted to a door and frame.

Referring more specifically -.to Figs. 1 to i8 -in elusive, I0 and "12 are leaves of a cam hinge that are connected -thruogh 'the'axis of a plurality of knuckles having cooperating cam surfaces, by

a pintle .or-connecting pin 14. It will'be observed that the connecting pin projects beyond'the opposite ends of the leaves to provide ihead portions l6 and I8. InFig. 1, the head [611s integral with the pin 14, while the head. I8 is a nut in threaded relation with the pin M. The heads l6 and [-8 each. have enlarged .outer ends, an inner shoulder portion, and a neck portion 20 the purpose of which will be hereinafter under stood. Manifestly the heads [6 and :18 may be omitted and. the pin 4 be of sufficient length to provide projecting ends each formed with an annular groove. "Moreover it'will be understood thattheheads l6 and l8 may be stud members secured in the end knuckles offithe hinge; also that the pin [4 may be-tight or loose with respect to'the knuckles ofeither or'both leaves of-the hinge. Secured itomthe hinge is .a cover or shiel'd 522,1;a zpurpose of rwhichis .toimask to the "extent the knuckle portion of. the assembled leaves and.

has a curvedportion 26, the inner radius of which is preferably somewhat larger than the outer radius of the knuckles to provide operating clearance. The portion 24 is also provided with side wings 28 and 39 that extend beyond the hinge axis a suitable distance to mask as much of the knuckle portion of the hinge that is operably mensions will be of sufiicient extent to slip over the pintle heads, and the body portion 44 of the cover will be of the resilient material, for instance a rubber compound or latex. With either construction the side wings 28 and 35 may be of a resilient material so that these portions may be made to extend beyond the hinge axis an amount greater than ordinarily possible and give when the hinge leaves are opened outwardly, also cover and knuckles are spaced apart to provide clearance.

It will be observed that the cover of Fig. 4 is also readily assembled to the hinge, it being merely necessary to drop one cap portion over possible. The side Wings 28 and30 are provided with prolongations forming in effect the ears 542..

These ears have openings 36 which open into the end edges of the cars 34 by slits or slots 38. Connected between the adjacent cars at each end of the cover are resilient members 4b; which in Fig. 1 is shown to be a helical tension spring, the ends of which have loop portions connecting to the opposed ears 34.

It will be observed that the cover of Fig. 1 may be readily assembled to the mounted hinge, it being merely necessary to force the resilient members 40 over the knuckles l and i3 and so that the resilient members seat in the annular grooves of the projecting head portions of the pintle. In operation of the hinge the side portions of the leaves will bear against the side edges of the cover to an extent depending upon the included angle which is to be formed between the leaves when the hinge is open a maximum amount and upon the extent to which the wings 28 and of the cover extend beyond the axis of the pintle. In this action the leaves will act to displace the cover outwardly and such will occur by reason of the resiliency of the attaching members 40, these members providing sufficient give so that the cover member may respond to the required movement. leaves are closed the resilient members 49 will act to draw the cover toward the hinge axis and take up the movement originally traversed.

In Fig. 4 the cover member has a modified form of mounting connection. In this construction it comprises a pair of caps 42 which extend over the pintle heads l6 and I8. Preferably these caps have an internal shape to fit the pintle heads and are of molded resilient material, for instance a rubber compound or latex, making them sufficiently resilient to be forced over the irregularoutline of the pintle heads. They also provide a resilient connection to the body portion 44 to permit the necessary movement of that portion when the hinge leaves are opened. Preferably the body portion 44 is integral with the caps 42 and may be, for instance, molded therewith. A similar plastic compound or one that will result in a more rigidified body portion may be used for this portion of the cover. It will be understood that the body portion may also be of sheet material, for instance, spring sheet metal, and the cap portions 42 be molded in place or otherwise secured to such portion. When the caps 42 are of substantial depth they may be slit part way, as between the points 4645, to facilitate assembly over the pintle head. It may also be desired in certain constructions to have the caps 42 of a rigid material, for instance,,metal. In such case their internal di- Obviously when the a projecting pintle head and by stretching the resilient portion of the cover force the second cap over the second projecting head of the pintle. Obviously the stretch will occur in either the body portion or the heads or at the junctions of these portions depending upon the construction of the cover. In operation of the hinge, the cover if of resilient material, will give under the bearing action of the leaves when opening and will return to normal position when the hinge is again closed. If the body portion be rigid the give will take place in the cap portions or resilient connection between the cap portions and body portion.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated a further modification particularly adapted for use with hinges that are not provided with pintle extensions. The cover may comprise, for example, a body portion 48 and a pair of spaced extensions, tabs or lugs 50 and 52 resiliently connected to the body portion. In Fig. 8 it will be noted that the body portion has a 270 deg. circular section but it will be understood that this section may be of other shape. Also that the body portion may extend around the knuckle portion of the hinge through an arc of degrees or more. The coverin the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is preferably made of sheet metal, spring metal being most suited and is preferably preformed to the shape shown in Fig. 8. The extensions 50 and 52 are provided with internal ears or tongues 54 which are formed by a continuous group of cuts in the extensions 50 and 52. These ears have the function of holding the cover in place when itis assembled over the hinge.

In mounting the cover the extensions 50 and 52 are inserted between the knuckles on one hinge and the ears 54 of the extensions are bent outwardly against the knuckles, the ears forming in effect prolongations of the shaped body portion of the cover. portions are surrounded through an arc exceeding 180 degrees with a distance between the ends of the are less than the diameter of the knuckles and thereby preventing the cover from being released, also the ears 54 and the extensions 50 and 52 form spreading prongs holding the cover between the knuckles and the leaf adjacent to which they are positioned. It will be understood that the ears 54 may be struck out in making the cover member in which case the cover will beassembled by removing the pintle then separating the leaves sufliciently to insert the cover and reassembling.

In operation the cover will remain stationary with respect to one of the leaves, for instancetthe leaf 56 in Fig. 6, this being either the stationary or mavable hinge leaf, preferably the movable leaf (that on door). As the leaves of the hinge are separated in spreading, the edge. 58 of the In this manner the knuckle the resilient connection with theextensions 50 and 52, the cars 54, also the resiliency of thebody portionand will return to normal. position when the leaves are again closed.

1 From the foregoing. description ofin y. invention it will be understood that Ihave presenteda cover for hinges. that iswell suited for tandard or cam hinges, that will operate with hinges embodying pintle projections or which lack this feature, also that my cover is simple in construction, readily assembled and foolproof. It will be understood that various changes in the constructions illustrated will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art but without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I therefore desire that my invention be construed as broadly as the following claims will permit and to embrace all equivalents.

I claim:

1. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections and pintle means connecting the knuckle sections, comprising a preformed elongated substantially U-shaped body portion to cover over the knuckle sections and a pair of resilient retaining means spaced apart longitudinally of the hinge axis connected to and extending from said body portion to secure the cover to the hinge and retain said cover in place and permit displacement of said body portion with respect to the retaining means during operation of said hinge.

2. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections and end projections along the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising an elongated relatively thin walled body portion having an open side whereby said body portion may embrace said knuckle sections and resilient retaining means bridging said open side of said body portion at its opposite ends and engageable with said end projections.

3. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections and end projections along the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising an elongated substantially U-shaped body portion to extend over the knuckle sections and a resilient strap bridging the opposite sides of said U-shaped body portion at each end of said body portion for retaining said cover to said end projections.

e. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections and end projections along the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising an elongated body portion to extend over the knuckle sections, said body portion being relatively thin walled and having an open side whereby said body portion may embrace the knuckle sections, a pair of projecting ears at each end of said body portion and retainipg means extensible with respect to said body portion, connecting each pair of ears across said open side, said retaining means being engageable with said end projections.

5. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections and end projections along the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising an elongated open sided body portion to extend over the knuckle sections and retaining means extending at each end of said body portion and engageable with said end projections for attaching and retaining said cover to said hinge; at least one of 'said body portion or retaining. means being of extensible character.

6. A cover for a hingeofthe type. having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sec tions, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections and end projections along the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising an elongated substantially U-shaped metallic body portion to extend over said knuckle sections and resilient retaining means at each end of saidbody portion for attaching and holding said cover to said end projections, said retaining means connecting with the adjacent legs of said U.

7. A removable cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections and end projections along the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising an elongated open sided body portion to extend over said knuckle sections, said body portion having marginal edges adjacent said opening and the opposite ends of said edges having projecting ears and extensible spring members connecting the ears at each end of said body portion and engageable with said end projections to retain said cover in position.

8. In combination a hinge comprising a pair of leaf members having knuckle sections and pintle means joining the knuckle sections and having portions along the pintle axis projecting beyond the ends of the leaves, and a cover memher for said knuckle sections comprising an elongated substantially U-shaped sheet metal member having sides substantially the length of said leaves and substantially covering said knuckle sections, and resilient retaining means connecting the sides of said U at each end of said cover and assembled under tension over said projecting portions of said hinge, said retaining means being capable of extension upon outward movement of the cover member in response to motion of the hinge leaves when spreading to open position and adapted to return said cover upon closing of the hinge leaves.

9. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections and pintle means connecting the knuckle sections, comprising a shaped body portion to extend over the knuckle sections, and a pair of tabs along one edge of said body portion to secure said cover to the hinge, said tabs being resiliently displaceable with respect to said body portion during operation of said hinge.

10. A cover as claimed in claim 9 wherein said tabs include resilient locking tongues engageable with adjacent knuckle sections.

11. A cover for a hinge of the type having a pair of leaf members provided with knuckle sections, pintle means connecting the knuckle sections, and knob-like end projections on the pintle axis adapted to receive cover retaining means, comprising a substantially U-shaped body portion to extend over the knuckle sections and knob-shaped rubber cap portions at the ends of said body portion and integral therewith to extend over said end projections and retain said cover in place said cap portions being thin walled and resilient and capable of permitting displacement of said body portion during operation of said hinge.

12. A device for protecting the opposite projecting ends of a hinge pintle, comprising a pair of hollow members for engaging and enclosing said pintle ends, and yieldable means for forcibly engaging said hollow members with said pintle ends.

I 13. A protective device, for attachment to a door hinge having a generally cylindrical exposed portion, comprising a hollow rubber capsule having therein an opening through which said cylindrical exposed portion of the hinge may be passed to enter said capsule, said exposed portion 5 of the hinge thereafter completely filling the hollow interior of said capsule.

CHARLES COLUCCI. 

